What not to put down the garbage disposal and why

The garbage disposal seems like a great place to get rid of food and table scraps instead of tossing them in the trash. While the disposal can handle most things in small portions, there are a few things you should never put in your garbage disposal.

Any kind of stringy or tough-peeled vegetable such as asparagus, lettuce, celery, corn husks, artichokes and potato peels shouldn’t be put in the garbage disposal. Their string materials wrap themselves around the blades and prevent the motor from turning.

Egg shells don’t belong in the garbage disposal. It has been rumored that egg shells help sharpen the blades, but this is a myth. The thin membrane layer attached to the shell can also wrap itself around the disposal’s shredder ring.

Never put grease in a garbage disposal, as it will eventually solidify and clog some or all of the drain.

A disposal is not strong enough to break down animal bones, either. While the blades might break them down some, they will never be able to get them small enough to fit down the drain.

Rice and pasta have the same problem—they can never be broken down small enough. And since they swell with water, smaller pieces will get bigger and gather in the trap until it is closed.

Pits or seeds from fruits and vegetables shouldn’t be put down the garbage disposal, as they can’t be broken down. They can damage or ruin your disposal and are better off being composted.

Other items to trash instead of tossing down the disposal include twist ties, pull tabs, rubber bands, glass, screws and nails, utensils, cigarette butts, bottle caps, paper, plastic, fabric, string, rags, sponges, plants, flowers, children’s toys, or hair. None of these items will break down small enough to rinse easily down the drain. No matter how strong your garbage disposal is, it still has its limits.

{photo by ellenm1}

Comments

[gainsworth@comcast.net]

I have been using garbage disposals since I was a 10. My parents had them, in the homes I grew up in and they have been in every home I have owned since. I have put carrots + peels, potato peels, small pieces of celery, small bones, citrus peels, egg shells, coffee grounds, tomatoes, peppers, anything soft etc. The only two times I had a problem was in my parents house when I put a massive volume of ham down the disposal, which the disposal handled but the drain clogged up. And the second time was when I dumped a massive amount of shrimp shells down the disposal and it clogged up. I was able to solve this with a plunger. So my advice, small volumes with plenty of running water and obviously not really fibrous material like artichokes or a whole stalk of celery or a leg of lamb! I hope to put an end to this nonsense that the only thing a garbage disposal can handle is a jar of baby food, without the jar. Of course composting is great if you are able to do it.